Drakensberg
The Drakensberg consists of the Northern Drakensberg, Central Drakensberg
and Southern Drakensberg
The Northern Drakensberg and Central
Drakensberg area is the most dramatic
and scenic Giants Castle in the Central Drakensberg, through
the Cathedral Peak and Didima Valley, then the Royal
Natal National Park and Amphitheatre Valley.
Royal Natal National Park
This area of the Drakensberg is particularly
well known as a tourist attraction and accommodation area. Situated in the
Northern Drakensberg, the most famous feature is the Amphitheatre and the
Tugela Falls. Here the Drakensberg escarpment rises
straight up to the sky, to a height of over 3000 feet. It is here that the
brave can climb up a chain ladder and view the escarpment from the top. A
further feature of the Drakensberg is the Tugela Falls cascading down 5 drops
forming the second highest waterfall in the world. Although the highest waterfall,
the Tugela is by no means the only waterfall in the Drakensberg.
Cathedral Peak and Didima Valley
The Cathedral
Peak Area of the Drakensberg
has splendid scenery with the Doreen Falls as an excellent example of a Drakensberg
waterfall. Views of the Central Drakensberg can be had by venturing to the
top of Mike’s
Pass (accessable with a 4x4 vehicle) and a natural feature of breath-taking
nature is the Rainbow Gorge, with two enormous boulders forming a wedge,
surely only seen in the Drakensberg Mountains
The Cathkin and Champagne Valley
Cathkin and Champagne
Castle have peaks at 3149m and 3248m respectfively. These, together with
Monk’s Cowl (3234m) are some of the highest peaks of the Drakensberg
Mountains. Cathkin was named after an area around Glasgow, Scotland by the
first Scottish settlers in the Drakensberg. The Champagne Peak received its
name as a result of the first climber to reach its peak taking a bottle of
Champagne to celebrate his achievment and accidently dropping it. Champagne
Valley is noted for its many different sporting activites, especially golf,
for which there are numerous challenging golf courses.
Injasuti
Situated in the northern section of the Giant's Castle area, Injasuti offers
some of the most breathtaking walks imaginable. The surrounding scenery is
dominated by Cathkin Peak, Monk's Cowl and Champagne Castle. Injasuti camp
lies cradled between the Injasuti (or `Little Tugela') and Delmhlwazini rivers
at the head of the Injasuti Valley.
Giants Castle
The area is steeped in history, and superb rock art is high among its special
attractions. The renowned vulture restaurant is open in winter for visitors
to watch bearded vultures and other endangered species feeding. Guests longing
for more insight into the Giants Castle history can visit the Main Caves
Museum for fascinating insights into the past lifestyle of the San people.
Drakensberg accommodation
Antbear
Guest House - Indeed a special find. One of those places
you wished you would have stayed longer where the accommodation, view,
location, service and food are just perfect. This is the nearest private
accommodation option near to Giants Castle and also offers one of the
best deals available.
Giants
Castle Camp - The upside is that you are inside Giants Castle
Nature Reserve. The downside is that you are inside Giants Castle Nature
Reserve. You are as close as you can be to starting the hiking trails
but far from any of the other attractions available. And the gate opening
and closing times make early starts and doing anything after sunset an
impossibility. If you do decide to stay here opt for the self catering
option and make sure you bring your own food with you. Giants Castle
camp offers self catering and has a restaurant.
Drakensberg
Luxury cave lodge Experience something different and stay
in the only fully catered luxury cave in the Drakensberg Mountains. And
the luxury cave comes with a few special romantic options like a jacuzzi
spa bath and fireplace both in the bedroom. Whats more it opens onto
a deck with hammock chairs and a panoramic view not often experienced.
Ardmore
Guest Farm - While this guest house is a little further away
in the Champagne Valley it still a great option to stay when you visit
Giants Castle. Also centrally situated this guest house makes for a special
few days in the Drakensberg. Ardmore is especially suited to families
with units that can accommodate 6 persons.
Wild
Berry Guest Farm - A simple B&B situated on the Mooi
River / Giants Castle road They only provide breakfast and there are not to
many good options where dinner is easily available. So cook your own
dinner when you stay at Wild Berry Guest Farm
Glengarry -
Lovely self catering accommodation in the Kamberg Valley. Situated right
on the Little Mooi River this self catering resort offers trout fishing and
a nine hole golf course. The self catering accommodation is in thatched units.
Cleopatra
Mountain Farm House - Prepare for some of the most fantastic
food you will ever eat. This farm house offers high class fine dining
near to Highmoor Nature Reserve. The rates are a pit on the pricy end
of the scale but hey you only ever live once. Especially if you are one
of those foodie types
Kamberg
Nature Reserve - Simple self catering challets in the Kamberg
Valley. Make sure you bring your own food as there is little available
nearby. Kamberg suffers the same issues as Giants Casle Camp with gate
opening times that make staying here sometimes inconvient. But if all
you want to do is stay in one place I cant imagine many better accommodation
options.
Injasuti
Nature Reserve- This is one of the best camp site gems thats
available in the Drakensberg. There are also a few self catering challets
which are in need of repair and a chronic revamp.
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